William Buford makes me look good

A day after I compared William Buford to Eric Gordon, the freshman goes off for 22 points on just 14 shots in Ohio State's 80-72 overtime win over Purdue. Coming into this game, Purdue had the best shooting defense in the conference. Ohio State was the best shooting team in the conference. Something had to give, and that something was Purdue's defense. The Buckeyes shot over 60% in this one, including 5-11 from three point range. In each of their last 4 games, Ohio State has posted an eFG north of 62.0. In fact, in Big Ten play, they have an eFG of 58.2.

So why exactly does this team have only the third best offense in the conference? Well, the biggest reason is the same one that I predicted in the preseason - turnovers. Ohio State is a team operating without a point guard right now, and while Jeremie Simmons and Evan Turner are doing a fine job for playing out of position, but they're no replacement for Jamar Butler. Still, the turnovers might be under control if B. J. Mullens starts playing more, and Dallas Lauderdale plays less.

Ohio State turned it over plenty against Purdue, coughing it up 19 times. Nonetheless, the Buckeyes shot well enough to overcome that, led by the three-pronged attack of Buford, Turner, and Mullens, who combined for 65 points on 38 shots and 23 rebounds. Turner also had 7 assists, but that came with 5 turnovers.

On the other side of the ball, Purdue sorely missed the absence of Robbie Hummel, who is still suffering with his back spasms. Hummel does so much on the floor it's hard to think he wouldn't have made a difference last night. That said, JaJuan Johnson is quickly becoming Purdue's best player. Last night the big man went off for 30 points on 16 shots while E'Twaun Moore suffered through a bad night offensively. We may never get to see this team healthy for the rest of the season, which is a shame, but even hobbled they are pretty good. Still, Purdue had a chance here to take advantage of the opening left by Michigan State's loss over the weekend, and they came up short. Box score.

I know I've been ascending the soapbox quite a bit lately, and I promise to refrain from doing so in a bit here, but I'll ask that you indulge me once more. See, yesterday as I got on the elevator, a co-worker and I struck up a conversation about the sporting event that sandwiched the Bruce Springstein concert over the weekend. After discussing what a great game it was, this individual lamented that we were now in somewhat of sports "black hole," with nothing going on until pitchers and catchers were to report. "Heavens to Betsy," I thought - is it possible that my obsession over college basketball is the exception, rather than the rule? I can understand the disinterest in the NBA regular season - it's hard to expect the fans to care when the players don't - and although I feel hockey players do try very hard, it just seems like they're speaking another language. Not "getting" hockey is as American as apple pie (though I admit, Midwesterners do share an interest in the puck game that goes beyond the rest of the nation's. But as a transplant, I'm afraid this escapes me). So I ask him, "Well, what's your college team?" He replies, "Penn State."

Oh my.

This hit me to my very core. The Nittany Lions are, of course, in the midst of their best season in nearly 20 years. They currently feature the conference's most dynamic player, who is the runaway MVP at this point. They're led by an undersized senior power forward who out-efforts his opponent every time he takes the floor. They've beaten two teams worthy of holding a top ten ranking at some point this season. And one of those wins came just two days ago. I submit that if you can't get excited about this year's Penn State team, you're just not a Penn State fan. In fact, you probably need your head examined.

This is not sports' "black hole." Indeed, this is one of the most exciting times of the year. Conference play. I'll understand if Indiana fans are changing the channel a bit more this season, but there's really no excuse for anyone else. We're living in college basketball's golden age. The best high school players in the country are all but forced to live amongst the students and play for free for at least one season. More Gus Johnson. Less Billy Packer. It's a world that our parents could have only dreamed of. There have been five overtime games so far this season, and there's a decent chance that we see five more before the season's over. The conference leader has already been beat twice at home. We've had buzzer beaters, clutch free throws, and yes, the fans have stormed the floor. And we've got a long way to go.

I hope everyone out there is enjoying it as much as I am.

Tonight Iowa visits Indiana in what represents the Hoosiers' best shot at winning a game this season. Northwestern hosts Chicago State in a brief interruption of their conference schedule, and Minnesota takes on Michigan State at the Breslin Center.